Software for a navigation control unit for use with a wireless computer resource access device and associated system

Abstract

A method automatically configures a wireless network access device, such as a wireless access protocol (“WAP”) enabled mobile phone. The method, which may be embodied in a separate attachment that may be removably secured to a wireless access device, automatically configures the wireless access device to facilitate the access or retrieval of resources on the computer network. In one embodiment, a WAP enabled cell phone is coupled to a navigation control unit that automatically configures the phone to access a predetermined web page or site on the Internet. User controls, such as buttons, on the navigation control unit allow a user to quickly access predefined resources on the Internet (such as predetermined web pages or web sites), by pushing a single button, rather than requiring the user to enter a complicated series of key presses on the phone. While a cell phone is described, various other embodiments are also described under the invention.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device, the method comprising: 
 receiving an input from a user of a navigation control unit, wherein the navigation control unit is coupled to the wireless web access device and wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the navigation control unit by the user;    generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;    transmitting the user command to the wireless web access device using a communications link;    transmitting the user command to a navigation server;    receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a web page on the Internet; and    accessing the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device and retrieving for display the web page.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communications link between the navigation control unit and the wireless web access device is a cord.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communications link between the navigation control unit and the wireless web access device is a wireless link.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user command includes a URL and information identifying the navigation control unit.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the redirection command includes a redirection URL.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user command includes a URL, wherein further URL includes an address for a navigation server, a serial number for the navigation control unit, and information about the user control actuated by the user.  
     
     
         7 . A method for controlling navigation over a computer network by a user on a wireless network access device, comprising: 
 receiving all input from a user to a network navigation control unit wherein the user input is based on the actuation of a user control on the network navigation control unit by the user;    generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user; and    transmitting the user command from the network navigation control unit to the wireless network access device using a communications link.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the computer network is the Internet, and wherein the user command includes a URL, wherein further the URL includes an address for a navigation server, a serial number for the navigation control unit, and information about the user control actuated by the user.  
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling navigation of a computer network by a user on a wireless web access device, comprising: 
 receiving a user command from a navigation control unit via a communications link, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;    transmitting the user command to a navigation server;    receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a resource available from the computer network; and    accessing the resource from the computer network based on the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the user command further includes a URL and information identifying the navigation control unit, wherein per the URL is an address for the navigation server.  
     
     
         11 . A computer-readable medium containing a data structure for use by a navigation server, the data structure comprising: 
 at least one URL, wherein each URL comprises: 
 a URL address for the navigation server;  
 information identifying a navigation control unit associated with the URL; and  
 information identifying at least one user control on the navigation control unit actuated by a user.  
   
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computer-readable medium is a logical node in a computer network receiving the contents.  
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computer-readable medium is a computer-readable disk.  
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computer-readable medium is a data transmission medium transmitting a generated data signal containing the contents.  
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of a computer system.  
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  further comprising information identifying a payment mechanism for providing payment by the user.  
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device with integral navigation control unit functionality, the method comprising: 
 receiving an input firm a user of a wireless web access device, wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the wireless web access device by the user;    generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;    transmitting the user command to a navigation server;    receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a web page on the Internet; and    accessing the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device and retrieving for display the web page.    
     
     
         18 . A method for reprogramming a wireless network access device with a navigation control unit, comprising: 
 generating a configuration command, wherein the configuration command is based on the wireless network access device; and    transmitting the configuration command from the network navigation control unit to the wireless network access device using a communications link.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the configuration command is automatically generated and transmitted.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  flyer comprising receiving information identifying the wireless network access device.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the configuration command includes a series of keypresses, wherein the series of keypresses replicates the keypresses a user of the wireless network access device would have to enter to reprogram the wireless network access device.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the configuration command includes information to perform at least one of the following functions: setting the screen display, configuring a home page, configuring a ringing tone for the wireless network access device, configuring a gateway portal and configuring bookmarks stored on the wireless network access device.  
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device, the method comprising: 
 receiving an input from a user of a navigation control unit, wherein the navigation control unit is coupled to the wireless web access devise and wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the navigation control unit by the user, and wherein the user command includes information identifying the navigation control unit and an address for a navigation server, and wherein the computer network is the Internet;    generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user; and    transmitting the user command to the wireless web access device using a communications link.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the user command further includes information identifying a product or service to be purchased by the user and information identifying user payment information.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the user command further includes information providing authentication or security for user information.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the user command further includes location information for the navigation control unit.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the user command further includes electronic coupon information.